Jack London's ‘To Build a Fire’ takes place within the sub- freezing Yukon of Alaska. The stories protagonist is an unnamed man who, besides the admonition of an experienced old man of Sulphur Creek decides to brave the merciless elements to meet his friends at a camp. Alongside him is his companion a large wolf dog. Readers are introduced to the setting at the beginning of the story as it states “day had dawned cold and gray” he continues with the statement “there seemed to be an indescribable darkness over the face of things” (London 64). This presents as the overall tone of the story, one that foreshadows gloominess and depression. Readers are eventually introduced to the unforgiving elements of nature that inevitably lead to the man’s demise.
The protagonist is portrayed as oblivious to the reality of his environment, proud and arrogant. His pride is first seen where he laughs at the old- timers’ advice. His arrogance is depicted as he is unfamiliar with the area and inexperienced to the extreme cold yet, he decides to travel alone unaware of the real danger. The protagonist, who remains unnamed throughout the story, is somewhat secondary to the setting. This is so as London uses the character to highlight the setting which seems to be the star throughout the story. In a sense, the dog and the setting warn the man not to go further, but he forges ahead. London’s use of imagery is so well done that readers can almost feel the harsh and lethal cold. Images are described in such a rich way that readers can almost hear as “the drops of water became ice that broke with a noise.” as the man’s spit hits the ground after freezing in mid air (London 65).
The relationship that exists between the character and the setting changes as the story progresses. Initially, the man is aware of the harshness of the weather, is “Keenly observant” but is not thwarted. His instincts always remind him of the severe cold as is mentioned more than once throughout the story “It certainly was cold, was his thought” and “There was no mistake about it, it was cold” (London 70). Despite these facts, the man did not seem to be respectful of his environment. This soon changed as the story reaches its climax when his fear comes to life as he slips into knee high water. At this point in the story, the man although optimistic about his situation is completely aware of the present danger. In this instant, the protagonist has become finally respectful and aware of his setting (the cold) for the first time throughout the story.
A theme that is highlighted at the climax of the story is the need to build a fire. This becomes more important once the man begins to freeze as a result of his wet feet. As his hands become numb, and the need to ‘starve’ off death is all important. The protagonist works slowly and carefully to build the fire. He calls to mind the old timer who had cautioned him about the danger of failing to start a fire, especially with wet feet. This is evidenced in the story as it stated: “The old man on Sulphur Creek had told him about it, and now he was grateful for the advice” (London 71). At this point, readers begin to see a change in the perspective of the protagonist. He no longer laughs at the old timer but is grateful for the advice that has now become relevant. However, this was short-lived as his arrogance soon crept back in when he was successful in starting the fire, and he thought to himself “Those old men were rather womanish,..”(London 72). The fire is soon diminished when a branch laden with snow creates a domino effect and snow falls on top of the fire. Here the man realizes not only his mistake but how right the old timer was when he cautioned him against traveling alone.
He proceeded to start a new fire. Coming to grips with his situation his perspective changes as he now realizes that by the time he builds a fire, he would have lost a few toes. He presses on but his fingers have frozen and he is unable to manipulate the matches to ignite the fire. His thoughts become wild, and he remembers the story of a man who was trapped in a storm, killed an animal and laid in the carcass to save himself. He decides he must do the same. He reaches for the dog but is unable to carry out his wild plan. He then decides to run to keep his extremities from freezing. The protagonist thinks against his better judgment that he might survive if he can run to camp. This part of the story shows the power of an unhinged mind as the protagonist sees looming death yet still believes in survival.
The overall conflict within the story is seen at its climax; man versus nature. Though it may seem that the character's environment is against him, that is not the case. Rather, he is caught in this predicament due to his perspective of nature. That is, being aware of it but not respectful. At the moment that he realized death was at his door he came to see that “He was certain to freeze in his present circumstances, and he should accept it calmly.” (London 78). This shows a renewed respect for his environment.
The story culminates with the man falling to the ground unable to get up. It is there he takes his last breath. In the end, the setting changes the characters view on things such as; the old-timer, his environment, and even his dog. He is angry at the dog that is warm and comfortable and he now fully accepts the wisdom of the old timer’s advice as he says to himself “you were a right old fellow, you were right” (London 79). The dog is no longer seen as a companion as he was at the onset of the story but, rather an extension of the harshness of the environment. It is evidenced in the story as the dog smells death on the man howls a few times and runs off to find a security, warmth, and food. (London 79). With this story, London teaches us that man cannot win in his battle against nature and must always be respectful of its power.
Works cited
London, Jack. To Build a Fire
